Imam Talib Shareef participated in a press conference panel titled “Muslim Response to Charlie Hebdo: Understanding the Root Causes of Radicalization” on Thursday, January 22, at the National Press Club sponsored by The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID).

In the wake of the shocking terrorist attack last week in Paris on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Muslims reacted almost unanimously to condemn these attacks, characterizing them as antithetical to the teachings of Islam. The French publication known for its satirical approach to many religion traditions, has in recent years focused increasingly, almost relentlessly, on satirical representations of the Prophet Mohamed. This forum is design to go beyond condemnations and Islamophobic rhetoric to explore the religious, societal and geopolitical dynamics underlying recent events, moving beyond the superficial binary of Muslim radicals vs. free speech.